man arrested for photographing santa and child

[the_ultimate_evil]

Photog Arrested For Taking Pictures
Scott Rensberger took pictures of kids with Santa

Updated: Friday, 11 Dec 2009, 12:08 PM EST
Published : Friday, 11 Dec 2009, 12:04 PM EST

CHARLESTON, WV - A freelance photographer is outraged after being arrested for taking pictures.

The dispute revolves around what exactly happened recently at a Charleston, West Virginia mall.

Scott Rensberger says when he took some photos of a child on Santa's lap, a man asked him if he could delete the photos.

He says he complied, but then moments later, Rensberger says police officers approached asking why he was taking photos of kids.

The argument got heated when police say Rensberger started taking photos of the officers, who then arrested him.

Rensberger is now facing battery, resisting arrest and obstructing justice.

"American's gone nuts. We can't take pictures anymore," said Rensberger.

He continued, "Two gentlemen walked into the store and they asked me if I took a picture of Santa and I said yes I did. And they said, my daughter, my child was on his lap, could you delete that picture? And I said, oh, sure."

"These officers approached me, one in particular, and asked me, he said, why are you taking pictures of kids? And I was shocked by that," Rensberger said.

"I snapped off a picture (of the officers questioning him) and at the same time he grabbed my camera, and I reached up with my left hand to catch the camera from hitting the floor and he said don't you touch me," he continued.

Rensberger stated, "He (the officer) said, if your shoulder dislocates, we'll call a paramedic."

"I would never in a million years slap a police officer in any way." “There are people with cell phones everywhere, are we gonna arrest everyone for taking a picture that a child might be, like, this big in the shot?" he continued.

Rensberger says he plans to argue his case in court.

Mall officials meanwhile did not have a comment on their photo policy.

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/national/santas-lap-photos-arrest-121109#Page-3


and people wonder why i do my damndest to make sure no people are in my photos


edit: another version of the events with more details

http://nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2009/12/arrest.html

 

[SuperFerret]

Deleting the picture was a nice gesture, but he had already stolen the child's soul with it.

 

[katie_girl09]

It is pretty creepy that he's taking pictures of other people's kids on Santa's lap though.

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

It is pretty creepy that he's taking pictures of other people's kids on Santa's lap though.

read the two articles, he was photographing the whole thing, the choir, decorations the whole set up.

 

[katie_girl09]

Not really...he was taking a pic of the Santa at the mall. It's only creepy to the over pc , 'everybody is a paedophile' brigade.

Oh okay. So now I'm part of a brigade? Can I be the leader? Sadly, in this day and age you can't be too careful.

read the two articles, he was photographing the whole thing, the choir, decorations the whole set up.

I read the first article. It sounded as if he was photographing the kids on Santa's lap. Seriously though. Does he live in Lala Land? He had to have expected some backlash.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Sadly, in this day and age you can't be too careful.

People only think stranger danger is worse today. It really isn't.

 

[katie_girl09]

Yeah, because in the past there weren't any sexual predators. It's a recent invention don't you know? One that apparently applies to a geat deal of the population, atleast the one's who own cameras.

... Did I ever say that there weren't any sexual predators before? I don't believe I did. But I think it's pretty safe to say that they are a lot bolder than they were in the past and many more are indulging their own sick tendencies.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

No. You're just hearing about it more.

 

[katie_girl09]

I doubt it. The media has been sensationalizing things forever. But even if you're right, you still can't be too careful.

 

[bgates87]

What's really sad is that this guy's career as a professional photographer is probably over now thanks to a few paranoid, over-protective parents. Who's going to hire a photographer who has been accused of being a pedophile, no matter how completely baseless the accusations are?

 

[Spidey-Bat]

I doubt it. The media has been sensationalizing things forever. But even if you're right, you still can't be too careful.

You can be too careful. Thinking everyone is a pervert and trying to abduct your child is no way to live.

 

[katie_girl09]

Of course it isn't. But are you telling me that it wouldn't make you the least bit uncomfortable to have some dude you don't know with a picture of your child?

 

[Mike_D202]

He didn't get "arrested for photographing santa and a child", he got arrested for whatever happened with the cops. The article says the argument got heated after the officers questioned him why he was taking pics of the kids, he probably didn't have a press pass or anything (I'd be questioning him as well). The guy got pissed and took pictures of the cops without they're permission. All it takes is non-compliance with police to land yourself in hot water.

 

[RyanJ]

Well you don't need permission to take pictures in public. If you're out in a public place (like the mall) anyone can take your picture without you giving your permission.

Also I could have sworn I heard this exact same story last year.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

Of course it isn't. But are you telling me that it wouldn't make you the least bit uncomfortable to have some dude you don't know with a picture of your child?

No. People have cellphone camera and could be taking pictures for all you know. If you're not going to be paranoid over that, no point in doing it over someone with a camera.

 

[katie_girl09]

The difference in that is that you don't know. But if you did, I wouldn't blame you for being nervous.

 

[Metamorpho1977]

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/national/santas-lap-photos-arrest-121109#Page-3


and people wonder why i do my damndest to make sure no people are in my photos


edit: another version of the events with more details

http://nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2009/12/arrest.html

That's because you're not supposed to watch Santa. He's supposed to watch you. So, be good for goodness sake. Duh!!!

 

[Morg]

No. People have cellphone camera and could be taking pictures for all you know. If you're not going to be paranoid over that, no point in doing it over someone with a camera.

Nowadays you can't stop having your pic taken or being on video, going to a store? Odds are you got your pic taken or on video. Go to a amusement park? Your pic being taken and I seen a website of Disney parks where the security guards save all the good pics IE flasher and such

 

[katie_girl09]

You implied that there is a bigger danger these days....which there isn't. If you take everything someone says literally, I suggest you stop posting and go for a reality check.


I'm not going to repeat what Spidey-Bat said because he's spot on. But if you want to go down that route, you'd better not let your children outside. What if a pedo sees them? Wrap them up in a bubble so they don't get hurt.....or have any kind of existence.





Thanks for your expert analysis on the situation. It's all hype, the problem is as it's always been, real, but not very prevalent. Is there somewhere that measures the 'boldness' of these people?

You implied that I was saying that there weren't any pedophiles a long time ago. How do I need a reality check for pointing out that you had made a rather silly assumption based on what I said?

Yes, heaven forbid you are worried about pedophiles because that means you are smothering them by default.

I don't claim to be an expert. I just have common sense. Something which you clearly lack. And how many times are you going to quote the same thing?

Are you a troll or something? Seriously. Grow up and stop trying to start arguments where there aren't any.

 

[Ion Kenshin]

With how pedo crazy people are theses days I actually still surprsied sitting on Santa's lap still occurs.

 

[Morg]

With how pedo crazy people are theses days I actually still surprsied sitting on Santa's lap still occurs.

They do a criminal background check you know, last thing they want is a santa being a ex con

 

[terry78]

I guess if some dude did come up from outta nowhere that wasn't part of the Santa ensemble taking pics of my kid and then skipping off, might be a tad concerned.

 

[Ion Kenshin]

They do a criminal background check you know, last thing they want is a santa being a ex con

Yea but a background check does just that...background. Just because someone wasn't found out doesn't mean they aren't. Like anything else it's a toss up and a risk. But again people take things to the crazy extreme. Nowadays everything seems to have a hidden agenda....Someone took a pic of my kid on Santa...he must be a pedophile. Someone sneezed near me....now I have swine flu....the list goes on and on. IMO this issue doesn't seem like it should have reached where it did. Hell before the cops got involved it seemed that the situation was handled. The guy whose kid the picture was taken of politley asked the photographer to delete the pic and he simple said yes and did

 

[huskerwebhead]

Again, this comes down to people thinking they are entitled to do whatever the hell they want and nobody can question them. Seriously, how hard would it have been for the guy to simply explain to the police what he was doing there and why he was taking the pictures? Instead he decides to immediately get all defensive and snap pictures of the police and then start resisting. Calm down people....just explain the situation.

The way people are today I don't know why he was so confused that the police were questioning him. It seemed like he understood when the guy came up and asked him to delete the photo, but suddenly he doesn't understand why the police were there? From his standpoint it might seem like overreactions, but from the parents standpoint they were looking out for their kids. Better safe than sorry.

 

[terry78]

Again, this comes down to people thinking they are entitled to do whatever the hell they want and nobody can question them. Seriously, how hard would it have been for the guy to simply explain to the police what he was doing there and why he was taking the pictures? Instead he decides to immediately get all defensive and snap pictures of the police and then start resisting. Calm down people....just explain the situation.

The way people are today I don't know why he was so confused that the police were questioning him. It seemed like he understood when the guy came up and asked him to delete the photo, but suddenly he doesn't understand why the police were there? From his standpoint it might seem like overreactions, but from the parents standpoint they were looking out for their kids. Better safe than sorry.

LOL, in the current age the first instinct is to cause a scene so you get some publicity. Get some people on your side, or sue whoever wronged you.